Colocation/Windows password

[MistaFatty]

Hi, I'm looking to colocate my first windows server, and am wondering how you guys deal with Windows asking for a password when the computer boots up. I was told that having your computer boot straight to the desktop without requiring a password was insecure, but I thought that the computer was supposed to be able to reboot to desktop without any 3rd party intervention by scheduled task, crash etc. I'm getting pretty confused by this...

[Hazz]

You should use a password to login....

What people tend to to with gameservers is run them as a service so they are running even if the box boots up and you haven't logged in.

[MistaFatty]

Hazz Wrote:You should use a password to login....

What people tend to to with gameservers is run them as a service so they are running even if the box boots up and you haven't logged in.

Ahh, ok, so you mean all services will run, even if the user hasn't ctrl-alt-del'd and entered a password to logon? If I were to then access the server by Remote Desktop would I see the ctrl-alt-del logon screen?

[BR5DY]

here are the options i can think of

1.) run server on system startup via scheduled tasks

Code:

-go to start-->run-->"control schedtasks" (without the quotes).
-make a new task by right-clicking and then clicking 'new'.
-don't use the 'add scheduled task' icon.
-right-click on the new task and click properties.
-put your server's launch line in the "run" line.
-on the schedule tab choose 'at system startup'.

2.) startup computer like normal and have it automatically lock (windows key + L)

Code:

-create a password.
-go to start-->run-->type "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes).
-uncheck "users must enter a password to use this computer".
-enter your username and password when asked.
-go to start-->all programs-->(right-click on) Startup-->Explore.  right-click on the background and do new-->shortcut.
-put this in the launch line: "%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation" (without the quotes)

3.) be insecure - this one is easy

Code:

-open microsoft word.
-change the margins to 1 inch on all sides.
-make the font tahoma and the size 18.
-type "screw passwords, i trust everyone" and print it out.
-get a piece of tape and put in on your server.
-this method uses the "trust" system

i also am doing a collocation and use method #2, however, method #1 is probably the safest.

[Mooga]

You should be able to remote desktop a server that's not logged in set if remote desktop is running as a service.
Or just set the computer to auto-login with your password (for XP I use tweakUI). Once you remote desktop, it will lock the computer's screen.